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Posted 2 years ago
stepback_a…
(347 items)
This is a type 99 Japanese rifle which was the standard issue rifle for Japanese troops from the early 1900's through WW II. It is a bolt action rifle which holds 5 rounds of ammo. This has the addition of a special dust cover for the bolt assembly so it would not become jammed. It has a flip up sight in addition to the sight on the end of the barrel. Japanese rifles had a chrysanthemum stamped on the chamber. When the Japanese would surrender, which did not happen often, they would deface the chrysanthemum by grinding it off. This was a symbol of the Emporer. Japanese troops were taught that it was better to die fighting, sacrificing your life for the Emporer, rather than surrender. This would bring shame to you family.
World War TwoThe events and battles of World War II played out on every continent of the…
I was told by my late father that General McCarther ordered all Japanese rifles were to have the chrysanthemum removed before they could be sent to the U.S. as souveiners. It was a symbol of the Emporer and that was why McArther wanted it removed. My father was a gunsmith and sporterised many of these rifles. He never saw one that had the chrysanthemum left in place. The History channel recently aired a show on McArther in Japan which confirmed what my father told me. Would a surrendering soldier have time to grind off the symbol? As you stated few Japanese soldiers surrenderd and there are thousands of these rifles without the chrysanthemum. It is rare to find one that escaped the grinding, I hope to see one some day.
Hello John, thanks for your input, this makes sense. I will soon post pictures of a type 38 rifle with the chrysanthemum intact.
Thank you for your reply, I look forward to seeing your intact type 38 with a chrysanthemum. My dad left me four Japanese rifles but all were modified and none had the chysanthemum in place. I hope the info I passed along will help you. I am no expert on these rifles but that is one story my dad told me more than a few times.
P.S. You have great stuff listed.
John
Do you have a store or is this only show and tell?
John, thanks for the compliment. Don't have a store, but I sell on ebay. The items you have seen are from my personal collections.
Regards,
Mike
My grandfather has two of these he brought back from WWII.
Does yours have the Rising Sun, or has it been filed off?
Hi VikingFan, I have a type 99 without the chrysanthemum, and a type 38 with the chrysanthemum intact.
Mike
So does that mean its a Marine rifle?
VikingFan, no, it is not a Marine rifle.
Mike
whats the easiest way to find u on ebay?
im looking to buy more for my collection by a chance you wouldnt have a ww2 russian gas mask would you?
dakota9961, sorry, no Russian gas mask. I sell on ebay as stepback_antiques.
Don't knock an Arisaka. They shoot very well.